Can music support people living with cancer?
On 15 February 2024, it’s International Childhood Cancer Day. A chance to focus on those whose early lives are affected by cancer. The good news is, music can help.
Every year, more than 400,000 children and adolescents around the world are diagnosed with cancer. Sarah became one of them in 2021, when she was diagnosed with leukaemia on her 5th birthday. International Childhood Cancer Day raises awareness about children like Sarah, and their families. As well as promoting a deeper understanding of the issues that an early cancer diagnosis can present, the day also highlights the need for better access to cancer treatments.
Such treatments don’t just include chemotherapy and radiation therapy – music therapy can also be vital for cancer patients’ wellbeing. Music therapy can boost the quality of life of someone who may be in pain and confined to a hospital bed.
Gillian, Sarah’s music therapist, adapted each session according to Sarah’s needs. On days when Sarah was feeling more unwell, the pair worked quietly together. When she was feeling better, they played more energetically. While most of Sarah’s life was filled with blood tests, transfusions and medication reviews, music therapy became a time for her to thrive. Sometimes, music therapy sessions took place in the middle of a transfusion or chemotherapy session, providing a welcome distraction and escape for Sarah while she was unable to get out of bed. At other times, music became a motivation for Sarah to practise using her core strength and motor skills.
The positive effects of music therapy were felt not just by Sarah, but also by her mum. Seeing Sarah interact and play music became really important for her mum, particularly when Sarah was in hospital for weeks at a time.
It has been an honour and blessing to meet you and to have you on our journey with Sarah. Thank you for all the music, laughter, smiles, joy and magic that you have brought into our lives. We appreciate every moment.
Michelle, Sarah’s mum, to music therapist Gillian
In the clip below, Sarah and Gillian are singing “Five Little Speckled Frogs”. As well as singing along to tunes they knew, Sarah and Gillian would also improvise new songs.
Music meant so much to Sarah during her time in hospital, which thankfully is now coming to an end as Sarah is due to finish her treatment in May 2024. While there isn’t yet a universal cure for cancer, music therapy can be a huge help for cancer patients. And we’re sure music will continue to be a part of Sarah’s life once she’s cancer free.
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